This page describes “samantarashmi and his entourage pay homage to shakyamuni” as written by Nagarjuna in his Maha-prajnaparamita-sastra (lit. “the treatise on the great virtue of wisdom”) in the 2nd century. This book, written in five volumes, represents an encyclopedia on Buddhism as well as a commentary on the Pancavimsatisahasrika Prajnaparamita.

Act 10.6: Samantaraśmi and his entourage pay homage to Śākyamuni

Sūtra: These monastic (pravrajita) and lay (gṛhasta) bodhisattvas, youths (dāraka) and maidens (dārikā), bow their heads down to the feet of the BuddhaŚākyamuni. Each of them express their worship (saṃpūjā), obedience (satkāra), veneration (saṃmāna) and respect (gurukāra). These bodhisattas, monastic and lay, youths and maidens, one after another, by the power of their roots of good (kuśalamūla) and their merits (puṇya), pay homage to Śākyamuni, Buddha, [133a]arhat, samyaksaṃbuddha.

Śāstra: Here are the stanzas which they spoke:

The Path which the arhats have travelled
The Buddha has followed in the same way (tathā – āgata).
True nature and point of arrival
Are the same for the Buddha and not otherwise.

The āryas speak the truth
The Buddha also speaks the truth.
This is why the Buddha is given
The epithet of Tathāgata: “Speaking the Tuth”.

With patience as breast-plate, his mind is firm;
With exertion as bow, his strength is bent [like the bow]
With the sharp arrow of his wisdom
He slays his enemies (ari + han), pride, etc.

He has the right to the complete worship
Of gods and men;
The is why we give to the Buddha
The epithet of Arhat: “Having the Right”.

He knows full well the true nature of suffering,
He also knows the origin of suffering,
He knows the true nature of the cessation of suffering
He knows also the Path of cessation of suffering.

Completely (samyak) understanding the four truths,
He dwells in equanimity (sama) and is immovable.
This is why, in the ten directions,
He is call Samyak – sam- buddha.

He has obtained the three subtle sciences (vidyā).
He is also endowed with pure practices (caraṇa);
This is why we call this BhavgavatVidyā – caraṇa – saṃpanna: “Endowed with the Sciences and Practices.”

Knowing all the dharmas
He has followed (gata) the marvelous Path.
At the desired time, he preaches skillfully
Because he has compassion for all.

He has destroyed old age, sickness and death,
To arrive at the place of safety (yogakṣema):
This is why we give to the Buddha
The epithet of Sugata: “Well-Gone”.

He knows the origin of the world
And also knows its cessation;
This is why we give the Buddha
The epithet of Lokavid: “Knower of the World”.

In regard to samādhi, śīla, prajñā and saṃpaśyanā,
He has no equal and, still less, no superior;
This is why we give to the Buddha
The epithet of Anuttara: “Without Superior”.

He saves beings with his great compassion,
He guides them with his good Dharma;
This is why we give to the Buddha
The epithet of Puruṣasamyasārathi: “Guide of Beings to be Converted”.

With wisdom free from the passions (kleśa),
He preaches supreme deliverance (vimokṣa);
This is why we give to the Buddha
The epithet of Śāstā devamanuṣyāṇām: “Teacher of Gods and Men”.

That which is mobile or immobile in the threefold world, [133b]
Perishable or imperishable,
He learned under the bodhi tree;
This is why we call him Buddha.